125 community groups are sharing more than £4.75 million in grants from the largest funder of community activity in Wales, The National Lottery Community Fund

125 community groups are sharing more than £4.75 million in grants from the largest funder of community activity in Wales, The National Lottery Community Fund, this month. More than 100 of those grants are from the Fund’s most popular grant programme – National Lottery Awards for All and include:  

·        £9,980 for Blind in Business to offer supervised work placement opportunities for blind and visually impaired young people aged 13 to 16 in Cardiff 

·        £3,451 to Y Ffrindiau Dysynni Dogs The Friends in Gwynedd, bringing people together to maintain the community field in Bryncrug 

·        £3,400 to Caewern Community Association in Neath Port Talbot, to address loneliness and impacts from the cost of living crisis by offering weekly activities. 

Caewern Community Association in Neath Port Talbot received £3,400 to run a variety of weekly activities for their community. The activities have a particular focus on residents facing financial hardship, experiencing lasting effects of the pandemic and people isolated or suffering with their physical or mental health. Food is provided at each session. 

 Louisa M. a participant, explained why she attends: 

“These sessions have made a huge difference for people young and old in this community. Without them, people have shared with me how isolated and lonely they can feel. I personally have attended sessions with my son and grandson, and it’s given us the opportunity to do things and experience things we would never usually be able to.” 

 Y Ffrindiau Dysynni Dogs The Friends in Gwynedd bring people together to maintain the community field in Bryncrug with its £3,451 grant. The field is well used by community groups to provide social activities for the whole community. 

 Dilys Williams, Secretary, said:   

“The Community Field at Y Ganolfan, Bryncrug, is regularly used by many groups, such as classes for Dysynni Dogs, Young Farmers and the local Youth Club, as well as for Community Events such as the Annual Country Fair and Bonfire Night.  

 “Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund we can do so much more. Members of Y Ffrindiau regularly stay after classes to carry out work such as cutting hedges and strimming. Visitors to events at the field regularly comment on what a lovely setting the field is in surrounded by the hills so it is with great pride that members of Y Ffrindiau maintain the field and are very grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for the funding to enable us to do this for our local community.”  

 Blind in Business Trust use their £9,980 grant to offer supervised work placement opportunities for blind and visually impaired young people aged 13 to 16 in Cardiff.  

 Dan Mitchell, Director at Blind in Business, said:  

“With funding from The National Lottery Community Fund in Wales, Blind in Business can train blind and sight impaired young people, to not only develop their confidence, but to network with each other and develop their aspirations for future employment. Such support is vital for us om Cardiff and this funding is game changing for the young, disabled people we help with the transition from education to employment”  

 John Rose, Wales Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, said:  

“These are just a few of the amazing things more than 100 community groups across Wales are doing, thanks to players of The National Lottery, who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes.” 

 From 15 November, the National Lottery Awards for All scheme is changing so that groups will be able to apply for grants up to £20,000 which can be spent over two years. For further information visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk    

 This month The Fund has awarded £4,789,521 to 125 projects across Wales, a full list is attached to this email.